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An Excellent Woman

During the month of August, I am re-sharing some of my most read blog posts. This one is about my partner, my friend, my wife, Shawna. Since today is her birthday, I figured it was a good opportunity to share again!

“If you want to keep your family together you better get some help.” Those words were spoken to me by my wife, Shawna, eight and a half years ago. You see, I had messed up. Royally. I was losing my battle with alcoholism and decided it was time to let her know everything. So I packed a bag, sat her down, told her all the terrible details, and watched as she surprised me: she left.

But the next morning she came back.

A year and a half later, she found out that I was still losing that same battle, only now it resulted in me losing my job as a minister. Her response was to call some married friends who had been through the same struggle and ask if we could spend a few days with them. Those friends said yes, and we started (again) on a long road to…